Wrapping things up this week, I figured this would be a great time to post this how to video we recently did on geocaching. I love it because it combines geeky technology (gps) with treasure hunting.

Dorrie’s been posting about geocaching a bunch recently so you can get caught up on just what the heck geocaching is on her “what is geocaching” post and “my first geocache” post.

In the video I cover how to get coordinates for geocaches near you, how to get them into your GPS unit, and then how to follow your GPS to get you close to the cache.

One thing to keep in mind is that a GPS unit is really only accurate to about 30 or 40 feet so once you get really close to where the cache is supposed to be hidden, it’s time to start thinking about where you’d hide the hidden “treasure” if you were doing it.

Hope you enjoyed cool non essential technology week. Dorrie’s back next week and who knows what rockin’ cool stuff she’s got in store for you.

Let me know what you think of the video. If you like it, we just might do more. (hint, use the comments button below)

CAMPING WITH KIDS
Written by CampingEarth staff writer, Shelly Maurer.

We began camping with our three young children about 8 years ago. Our camping ventures all began when we were offered a 1978 Palamino (pop-up) camper by a relative. It was the same relative that took me camping when I was a child.

We began to camp at State Parks only because you couldn’t beat the price! We started out camping at parks that were not far from home just in case it wouldn’t work out with the children. Little did I know that this first venture would be something we would continue to do for years to come several times a year!

The first few camping trips I packed everything you could think of…mind you the camper came with several items…silverware, pots & pans,…even lights to hang! I packed several toys for our kids to play with and lots of extra clothes. For a while the toys would get played with by our youngest daughter, especially on those camping trips where buckets of rain fell as we sat inside our pop-up. Board games were always a good thing to have along.

As years went on and we purchased our first “new”, like brand new, 1999 Camplite pop-up, my packing went down quite a bit. I have learned to ALWAYS have enough extra clothes and shoes for the kids. On several occasions, my son has gotten quite wet while walking on logs in the swamp/woods.

I no longer take along the bags upon bags of toys for the kids. Although they have gotten older, they still like to have some things along to play with but their favorites are outside games although we still have a cupboard in our camper for the decks of cards, badminton, bocce ball, jump ropes, and sidewalk chalk.

Our favorite find is a can similar to a gallon paint can that has playground games inside. Inside this can there is a ball pump, a playground ball, sidewalk chalk, four rubber bases, and the can may also be used for Kick the Can. It also came with a book of suggested games to play with these items….kickball, four square, kick the can…All of this in one can for just a couple of dollars! Yet it is compact enough to fit in our game cupboard.

We have added Washer Toss (Washoes) and Ladder Golf (Blongo Ball) to our list of games that we bring along on each trip. There are times that these games go untouched for the simple fact that the kids think of their own things to do with their time. They hike in the woods, ride bike, build forts, or just sit by the fire and whittle sticks. They have learned how to carve bow & arrows with their pocket knives. It is so enjoyable to see them use their imagination and come up with things to do outdoors.

On a recent camping trip, we ventured for our first outing of Geocaching. With our Garmin GPS unit in hand, we made our way to our first cache. The kids were excited to find it and even more excited to see what “goodies” it had. We managed to find 6 of the 10 at the State Park we were at (surprised to see how many were in the park) and had all we could do to convince our eager son, who wanted to keep going and find them all, that we wanted to save some finds for our next trip there in August.

The kids are very excited to teach and show their aunt and uncle the fun in Geocaching when they join us on our next camping trip. Not only are the caches fun to find, since they range in size and shape from a film canister (which usually just has a paper for you to log your find) to an army box, but the time spent getting to the cache like the walk on the trails through the woods and conversations with kids along the way, make the trip all the more memorable and special.

Oh and if you intend to give Geocaching a try, stock up on those little toys from cereal boxes or toys from kids meals at restaurants. When you get to the cache, you date and sign the log book and then you may exchange one of your goodies for one inside. Just remember that some caches may be in the smallest containers so it is best to keep your goodies to trade on the smaller side. It is also suggested to bring your own pen/pencil since some caches are so small they wouldn’t fit one in there for you…….A camera would be another item to definitely bring so you can take pictures!

For us, the best thing about camping and enjoying Geocaching is you are outside taking in all that fresh air for the entire day…hours! Nothing beats bedtime when all are tired from the fresh air and venturing all day.

With gas price at all time record highs, I thought it’d be good to give you some easy ways to save money on gas while you’re camping so I called up Gary Ruplinger of FuelSavingZone.com and asked him what he’d recommend people do to cut down on gas usage – here’s what he had to say…

Before you leave

When you’re packing for your camping trip, ask yourself if you’re going to really need all that stuff you’re packing. I know that I’ve found I’ve taken a lot of things camping that I never even thought to use. Every extra 100 pounds you pack into your vehicle or camper can reduce your mileage by up to 2%.

Also, now’s the time to check your tires on both your vehicle and your camper to make sure that your tires are properly inflated. It’s been estimated that up to 80% of people are driving around on underinflated tires which can reduce your gas mileage by another 2-3%, and if you’re towing a camper, that number goes up since you have more wheels on the ground.

If you have a roof rack or anything large on the outside of your vehicle or camper that you’re not going to be using on your trip, then take it off. Roof racks have been known to reduce fuel mileage by up to 10% since they mess with the vehicle’s aerodynamics. If you’re going to use it on your trip for your bike or kayak or whatever, then by all means, use it, but if you can do without it, then take it off, or switch to a rear mounted rack instead.

While driving to your campsite

When you’re driving your camper, take it easy. It’s not only safer to drive slower when you’re pulling a camper behind you, but it’s going to use a lot less gas. That means keep your top speed lower than normal, try to anticipate when you’ll need to break ahead of time, and accelerate slowly. Driving conservatively versus driving aggressively can mean a 35% improvement in your gas mileage.

If you really want to save money on gas, ditch the camper entirely and pack only tents. Pulling a camper can reduce your gas mileage by 15-40% depending on the size, weight, and aerodynamics of the camper you’re pulling.

While camping

While you’re camping, ideally you shouldn’t need to use any gas. Park your vehicle and leave it where it is for the duration of your trip. This does mean you need to come prepared with all the food and supplies you’re going to need, but if you’ve been camping a few times, this should be no problem.

At most campsites you’ll be able to get things like ice which you may run out of sometime during your trip without needing to drive anywhere.

Instead of driving, take your bicycle or walk. You get a much better feel for nature when you experience it by walking or biking through it rather than driving through it anyway.

Plus, I think we could all use a little extra exercise.

If your budget is really tight, then you could look for campsites that are much closer to home. Instead of driving across the country to go camping, you could drive across the state. Instead of driving across the state, you could drive across the county. You don’t usually need to drive too far to feel like you’re away from it all and you can just relax and enjoy your trip.

Bonus: Advanced gas saving tips

For most people, these tips aren’t going to apply, but if you’re in the market for a new camper or tow vehicle, here are a few bonus tips.

If you’re purchasing a new camper and fuel economy is an issue, you have plenty of options. If you’d like to be able to use a fuel efficient car or small SUV to do your towing instead of a full size SUV or pickup truck, then stick with smaller camper. Popup campers are especially good choices because they’re compact when travelling, and expand into good sized campers at the campsite. But you could also go with a teardrop camper which is know for its excellent aerodynamics or buy an ultralight travel trailer which will get better mileage when towing than a regular travel trailer since ultralights weight significantly less.

If you’ve got your heart set on a full size camper, then go with an Airstream which is far more aerodynamic and easier to tow than regular travel trailers or get a fifth wheel.

If you’re going to be towing a big camper like a fifth wheel or a large travel trailer, then make sure your vehicle is diesel powered. Not only are diesel trucks better suited for towing larger loads, but they’re more fuel efficient than their gasoline counterparts, especially when towing a load – that’s why all the semis and farm equipment you see are diesel powered. Same thing applies if you’re buying a motorhome – always opt for the diesel powered motorhomes verus the gasoline powered ones.

Now quit worrying about the gas prices and get out and go camping already.

Now that camping season is starting to gear up in many areas, here’s a few of my own personal tips for choosing a campsite. They are things I have learned from the dozens of times I have gone camping at various campgrounds.

Because I didn’t think about some of the things listed below I have had some “not so fun” camping experiences, so I’m sharing them with you so they don’t happen to you too (I also did a video on this topic too, so if you’d rather watch than read, feel free).

1) Campsite Length - Make sure the campsite is long enough to accommodate your camping vehicle. (this is self explanatory, right?)

2) Bathroom location is important; especially if you are like me and don’t have a bathroom in your camper and have kids or if you yourself need to visit a bathroom frequently. If the bathroom facilities are modern a site right next to them is great. If the bathroom facilities are more primitive then you still want to be close to the bathroom but not right next to them - especially during the warmest months when a “ripe” smell can be prevalant. A camping trip can turn miserable in a hurry if all you can smell when sitting at your campsite is the bathroom odors from next door.

3) A RV or tent on corner campsites or at “intersections” of the campground often have the glare of headlights shining on them at night. After my family spent one camping trip having headlights shining in our camper as vehicles turned the corner on the busy road in the campground we were staying at, we learned to avoid campsites on corners of campground roadways and instead look for ones more towards the middle.

4) Be aware of the location of dumpsters. Being near dumpsters is convenient when you want to dispose of your garbage, but these can also be smelly so try not to be too close to them. Many campgrounds have dumpsters located away from the campsites but some have them nestled among the campsites and I can personally attest to the horrible odor a person has to put up with if their campsite is really close to them. Plus, if the dumpsters aren’t properly closed after people put their trash in them they are a magnet at night for wild animals looking for a bite to eat.

5) I like camping in state parks because the sites are typically larger and more wooded then private campground campsites. But, that also means some of the campsites are located near steep dropoffs and/or near standing water or swampy areas that are a haven for insects. One of my favorite state parks has campsites where the camper pad is less than 50 feet from a steep dropoff. The view is incredible; but it’s not the type of site I would choose if I had small children camping with me. Standing water/swampy areas are bad for me because I have allergies to insects and stinging bugs swarm around those areas in droves at dusk and dawn and sometimes even in the middle of the day. Call the campground before making a reservation to inquire about specific campsites before making a reservation, especially if you reserve sites online.

6) Shaded or not shaded? I like shaded campsites; otherwise the interior of my popup gets beastly hot during the middle of summer days. I have a sister-in-law however who prefers sunny sites without trees because there are typically less bugs.

Do you have other tips and things to consider when choosing a campsite? If you do, please write a note in the comments section to share it.

Happy Camping!

Almost every camper is likely to tell you they love camping because it gives them the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life and into nature where trees replace high rise buildings and the smell of food cooking over an open fire replaces the smell of smog.

Because so many of us want to get out into nature more and because it’s healthy for us to get out there for fresh air and exercise, several organizations are working to bring more of nature within easy access of Americans even when we aren’t camping.

Rails-to-Trails Conservacy is one of those organizations. I first wrote about them last year in this blog but I think their efforts deserve another “shout-out.” It is a non-profit organization that is ramping up its efforts to turn abandoned rail corridors (old railroads) into trails for walking, running, biking, cross country skiing, and in some areas also for horseback riding, ATV’s and snowmobiles.

To date, Rails-to-Trails has helped to convert over 14,000 miles of old railways into trails in the United States for us to use. The goal of the organization is to have a trail within 3 miles of 90 percent of the American population by the year 2020.

I live in a rural area and am lucky enough to already have a converted rail trail a half mile from my house that the organization was instrumental in helping develop. Three years of work on the trail has resulted in a continuous trail that connects two larger towns on either end with two smaller towns along the way; providing 40 miles of trail for walkers like me, runners, bicycling enthusiasts; and for snowmobile and ATV riders during the colder winter months.

I’m surprised at the number of people I meet on the trail on a daily basis. Some days the trail is busier than the sidewalks in town 2 miles away! It’s not unusual for me to meet the teen down the road who uses the trail to bike the 3 miles to her part-time job in town; or to say a quick hi to the couple who walks 4 miles of the trail almost every day after work for exercise; or to meet the 84 old former pharmacy owner in my town who takes a leisurely 15 mile bike ride on the trail every day that the weather permits and who always has a smile and friendly wave for anyone he meets.

Trails that Rails-to-Trails has helped developed are located all over the United States. Click here to see if one is near where you live, work, or camp. The longest trail so far, the Katy Trail State Park in Missouri, is 225 miles long with easy access to several camping destinations along the it.

To learn more about Rails-to-Trails visit their website, and if you have a little over 3 minutes to spare, click here to watch an interesting video by Retirement Living TV on Rails-to-Trails.

Camping Across the Country

By Jerry

Not long ago, my son and I went on a father and son campout on the other side of the state. Even though he was active in the Boy Scouts and we camped often with his troop, from time to time we took one of these “boys only” family camp outs just to try out our camping skills and hang out together for a couple of days.

On the second night of the camp out, all was going well and we were preparing our camp fire to cook some foil packs for dinner. As often happened, another camper hiked by and we exchanged greetings in a friendly way. He asked to stop and enjoy the fire for a moment and we agreed to the visit. But the story he told us of his adventures was one that peaked our imaginations for years to come. It seems he lived in the Seattle area and had recently landed a great job in Florida. So he had decided that instead of flying to the new job site, he would camp from coast to coast and use that method of discovering America and along the way experience some of the country’s great camp sites.

To be sure to attempt a coast to coast camping odyssey would take a very well prepared and experienced camper. Our family has camped for as long as a week so we know that to accomplish a feat of this magnitude would take some good preparation and ability to camp in all kinds of different situations and environments. But thinking of what our friend experienced as he camped across the country makes such a venture alluring to be sure. Because in his trek from Washington to Florida he would be able to…

• Camp on the beach of the Pacific ocean and experience its majesty and power.
• Camp in the mountains of the Grand Tetons and the phenomenal mountain expanses that fill the middle of the country from Colorado to Idaho.
• Camp at the Great Salt Lake, a truly amazing natural wonder.
• Camp near the phenomenal Mount Rushmore memorial and spend some time admiring that work of art before moving on.
• Camp on the banks of the Colorado river and perhaps enjoy some white water rafting as a diversion during his journey.
• Camp in the flat lands of Kansas or western New Mexico and see lands that seem to stretch on forever.
• Camp on the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico adding yet another ocean to his list of wonders he had visited.
• Camp near the swamps of Louisiana and become a Cajun for a few days.
• Camp in the mountains of the great southwest and compare them to those he had experienced in the middle of the country.
• Camp on the shores of the Atlantic ocean, becoming a citizen of all shores.
• Camp on the tip of Florida and look out on the warm waters that would take his imagination to further camping adventures in South America or beyond.

You can see how easy it would be to get carried away imagining the sheer adventure and fun such an extended camping odyssey would afford an intrepid camper. We as Americans always have had a bit of the wanderlust in us and that love of travel and getting up close and personal with nature in many different environments never ceases to call to all of us.

Its hard to imagine the preparation and lifestyle issues you would face when setting out on such an ambitious camping adventure. Perhaps our friend had taken shorter but still ambitious camping ventures across certain segments of the country so he could be ready to take on such a challenge. For our family, just camping in a few camp sites across the state in one trip is a broadening experience. While we are always glad for the many experiences we have had on such journeys, our goals are clearly modest compared to the concept of packing every night on a continuous journey across America.

You can tell that to this day, my son and I have dreamed of being able to pull off a camping adventure of this magnitude. I suspect if you are a camper and have a love of the outdoor life as thousands in our society do, such a large scale camping exploration has a real appeal to you as well.

Who knows, my son and I may continue to dream of such an outing and never get to the point that we are ready to tackle such a feat. But if we do, and we are out there enjoying every mile of our journey to discover America, maybe we will find you setting camp and enjoying a nice camp fire. If we do, can we sit and warm by your fire and share our adventures for a while?

This one’s for all you popup camper owners. Now that fall weather has finally arrived in most parts of the country, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your popup camper. This “how to” guide will cover what you need to know about getting your camper ready for storage over the winter.

Your pop-up camper is an investment you have made in the long term comfort and camping fun for your family. A Pop-Up is a nice compromise between the discomfort and bother of tent camping while retaining the feel of “roughing it”. It is also a nice compromise in a more comfortable camping experience while avoiding the large costs of buying and maintaining a full sized camper.

But like any other type of camping equipment, you must think about maintenance to your pop-up each year so it will store safely during the down months when you will not be camping. Many ask, “When is the best time to winterize my pop-up?” The obvious answer is, “before winter”. The primary goal of winterizing your pop-up is to prepare it to survive the cold winter months without damage. But this annual ritual is also necessary to perform routine maintenance and to be sure that when you open that pop-up for your first camp out of the spring, it is ready to go.

The “when” question is more pertinent to your camping plans than to the weather. When you have completed your last camp out of the fall and are ready to store the pop-up, that would be the ideal time to winterize your unit. If you wait until the first freeze, procrastination or distractions may prevent you from getting the job done in time and if you miss it, you could see damage to your pop-up and the costly repairs that would come with that damage.

So, as a rule, plan your annual maintenance right after your last camp out of the year. You have the fun of that camp out to use as incentive to be sure the pop-up is ready to store. Now, where the pop-up will pass the winter might influence your decisions as you step through your winterizing check list. But even if the pop-up is going to pass the winter in a garage, its best to perform a full winterizing ritual so you have peace of mind that you have been a good pop-up owner.

Your winterizing schedule includes performing needed water removal and replacement to the interior water systems as well as necessary annual maintenance to the pop-up in general. You will no doubt customize this list to your particular pop-up but here is a good starter list.

• Perform a thorough exterior cleaning washing down the unit and inspecting for rust or other damage from the year of camping.
• Perform exterior repairs as needed.
• Perform a thorough interior cleaning making sure you get all food residue up from the floors and beds to keep rodents out and so you don’t open the pop-up next spring to the smell of aging food crumbs.
• Perform interior repairs as needed.
• Remove all nonpermanent items including fishing gear, children’s toys, coffee mugs, pillows or sleeping gear to be cleaned and stored indoors until next year.
• Remove all appliances including left over electronic devices the kids might have forgotten.
• Remove all coolers and food either left out or in storage and discard.
• Remove all garbage and litter.
• Remove any aerosol cans that could rust or rupture due to changing temperatures.
• Lubricate all motorized moving parts.
• Inspect and maintenance wheels, breaks and electrical connections.
• Inspect the underside of the pop-up and repair any holes or other damage from travel.
• Remove and store the battery. Keep the battery charged all winter so it is ready to go when camping begins in the spring.
• Cover any vents with plastic wrap to keep the pop-up airtight and keep insects or other visitors out.
• Inspect the anode rod and replace as necessary.
• Drain all water retention systems including the fresh water tank, the water heater, holding tanks and toilets.
• Drain all pipes by opening the faucets and letting as much water out as possible. Some people will go so far as to blow out the pipes to clean the moisture out as thoroughly as possible. A small amount of water retention is ok but you don’t want the water pipes and tanks full as they could freeze and cause damage to connections.
• Implement hot water heater bypass systems as instructed in your owner’s manual.
• Put nontoxic RV antifreeze into all water lines that you just drained. Be sure you purchase nontoxic antifreeze that you can buy at any camping or RV retail outlet. Do NOT use automobile antifreeze as it is highly toxic and will contaminate your water lines and create a risk to your family the next time you use the unit.

A thorough maintenance and winterizing session will take some time to complete so set aside a Saturday to do a good job performing proper care for your pop-up. Another good reason to perform this maintenance early in the fall, as soon as you are done camping is it gives you time to get any repairs done before the cold weather comes and you can do this work out doors while the temperatures are more tolerable.

You will thank yourself for doing a good job going through your pop-up maintenance and winterizing check list when you open the unit next spring to prepare it for the first camp out of the new year. Your careful attention to he care and storage of your pop-up will assure that it will continue to be a fun and valuable resource for your family’s camping needs for many years to come.

While camping is my number one reason for heading to Door County each year, there are other reasons why I enjoy spending time there. Here’s a few of the places I’ve been to and recommend checking out.

Door Peninsula Winery - it’s a great rainy day destination. They have free wine tasting of as many of their wines as you would like (doesn’t that say it all?).
It’s north of Sturgeon Bay on Hwy 42 in an old schoolhouse. Take the tour ($2) to see how the wine is made.
Because they make over 50 different wines (many under $10 a bottle) it’s difficult deciding which ones to try but start with the dryest and end with the sweetest to best enjoy the flavors of each one.
My picks: the ice wine - a sweet dessert wine that is made from grapes harvested right after a hard frost; and the blackberry merlot which is one of their top-sellers.
Also, head to the refrigerated case and pick up a couple containers of the wine cheese spread. It’s really good. Then head back to the campground and enjoy some wine around the campfire in the evening (if it’s not raining).

Orchard Country Winery - (yes, I like to go to wineries) The wine tasting is free but limited to trying 6 different wines. Blackberry Blend is their top-seller but my favorite is the Honeycrisp Apple.
Their apple cider and fruit pies are tasty too.
While you’re there, take a trolley tour; or if it’s winter a sleigh ride.

Noble House - take a step back in time by touring Fish Creek’s oldest frame house which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It gives you a look into how life was lived in Door County over a 100 years ago.

Pirate’s Cove Mini Golf is fun for the whole family. Mini golf is an activity we started doing with our kids when they were small. Now, even though they’re grown, it’s still something they love to do which is why this is on our list of things to do every year when we go camping in Door County. The course is well maintained (my favorite part is the waterfalls) and it’s reasonably priced.
Pirate’s Cove is located in Sister Bay which is about 20 minutes north of Peninsula State Park.

The Shipwrecked Inn in Egg Harbor (about 15 minutes south of Peninsula State Park) is a restaurant located in a building with an interesting history (overnight accomodations are also available).
Shipwrecked first opened for business in the late 1800’s when the lumber industry in the area was booming. It became a popular place for both lumberjacks and sailers.
In the 1920’s, it became one of Al Capone’s favorite places. In fact, Door County in general was a favorite area for him because all the “nooks and crannies” in the area made it hard for law enforcement to track him down.
There are still tunnels under the building Shipwrecked is in that lead to various places around Egg Harbor that Al Capone used when he needed to make a quick getaway, although folklore says the tunnels were originally created for Chief Tecumseh of the Ottawa Indian tribe for his use in quick getaways from other tribes.
Local folklore also says that in the early 1930’s a couple of IRS officials came looking for Capone at Shipwrecked but were never seen again because they somehow became “lost” in the tunnels.
Shipwrecked brews their own beer. I recommend the Door County Cherry Wheat. Enjoy it with the fried perch and Hawaiian coleslaw. And, if dessert is “calling your name” try the cherry berry crisp a la mode. It’s served warm with whipped cream and a scoop of ice cream. Yum! It was so good I would have picked up the bowl and licked it clean if I would have been at home.

The Inn at Kristofer’s is the place to go for a wonderful dining experience when you want to treat yourself to a great meal. It’s located in Sister Bay and the dining room has a great view of the water. When I dined there immediately after being seated I was served a cool glass of water with a wedge of lime and a basket of fresh warm multi-grain rolls with basil flavored butter rosettes.
There were three people in my dining party and we all loved our entrees which included grilled quail, Angus filet mignon, and roast duck with orange Grand Marnier sauce. To say all the entrees were delicious doesn’t do them justice. The food is some of the best I’ve ever had anywhere.
Reservations are recommended, especially during the summer, but when we dined there we showed up early in the evening in the first part of October without reservations and were seated immediately.

P C Junction is one of those places that you may never stop at if it wasn’t recommended to you because it’s not located on one of the main roads in Door County and isn’t a fancy new building. But if you don’t go there while in Door Couny you would be missing out on the most fun dining experience in Door County - especially for kids.
It has a train and train tracks that run from the kitchen all the way around the bar. It delivers food and drinks right to where you’re sitting. The kitchen staff loads the food on the train, sends it around the tracks to where you’re sitting, stops the train, and then you take your food. Plus, the kitchen cook dresses like a train engineer and periodically sings little train related ditties. It’s great.
The food is good too. Try the burgers. Go there for lunch for get there early so you and the kids get a seat at the bar (which is made out of old wooden doors - doorknobs still attached).
It’s located at 7898 County A, Peninsula Center, WI.

Kurtz Corral is a great place to go for a horseback ride. I have to admit I’m not a huge fan of riding horses but my kids talked me into it during one of our trips there and I did have a good time.
They have several options for riding; an arena ride for kids who want to ride a horse but aren’t ready for a trail ride; a wooded walk ride (our family took this one) which is a 1 hour leisurely paced trail ride that includes an instructional video; a faster paced wooded walk trot ride; and an advanced trail ride for experienced horse riders that includes an optional winery stop.

Door County Bakery has an amazing bread called the corsica loaf that has a really tasty crust with olive oil and sesame seeds. They have free samples.
If you’re like me and think the crust is the best part of the bread, buy a Corsica breadstick instead of a hunk of the bread. Only buy what you can eat that day though. Because it’s an artisan bread it doesn’t keep well.
The cherry cream cheese coffee cake is really good too.

Edge of the Park is exactly where it’s name says it is. It’s located right at the entrance to Peninsula State Park and is where you can rent 21 speed bikes, 7 speed bikes, tandem bikes, recumbent bikes, kid’s bikes, jogging strollers, and mopeds.
Since we always take our own bikes camping, we like to rent the mopeds for an afternoon and go cruising around the park roads although they can be ridden on any paved road in the area. They’re a lot of fun.

Wilson’s is the place to go in Door County for old fashioned ambience and tasty ice cream. They’ve been around for a little over 100 years. The butter pecan and Mackinaw Island fudge ice creams are my favorites. If you have time to sit down and enjoy a burger ask for a booth with one of the mini-jukeboxes in it so you can listen to “oldies but goodies” while enjoying your meal.

For a “trip down memory lane” and just a fun thing to do if you’re not old enough to remember these, go to Skyway Drive-In Theatre for a double feature movie and some popcorn. When I was younger there was still a drive-in theater near where I lived and almost every weekend in summer a carload of me and my friends would head to the theater to watch movies and hang out. Kids young and old enjoy going to the Skyway in Door County, but for different reasons. For the older generation it brings back memories. For kids it’s a new experience.
It’s located on Hwy 42 between Fish Creek and Ephraim and is one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters in Wisconsin.

These are just a few of the things I’ve seen, experienced and enjoyed while visiting Door County but I wanted to mention them because they are my favorite places. Check them out, they might become your favorites too.

For more information on what to do and see in Door County, click here.

Formed in 1986, the non-profit Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC), has worked irelessly towards getting funding and legislation to convert unused/abandoned railroad lines into community trails.

  Their mission is to "create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people."  That’s a pretty admirable mission.  To date, the RTC’s work has helped approximately 13,600 miles of rails get converted into trails. 

Depending on the trail, they are available for one, several, or all of the following uses: walking and hiking, biking (some trails
are only suitable for mountain bikes), inline skating, wheelchairs, cross country skiing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and some that allow ATV’s.  For example, the Soo Line South is a 114 mile trail beginning at Saunders Junction in northern Wisconsin and connects with a the 148 mile Soo Line North trail in Minnesota.  Moose Lake State Park in Minnesota is adjacent to the trail and has camping facilities.   

And, for fishing enthusiasts, some trails have fishing
spots along the way. 

The surfaces of the trails vary from paved to gravel to crushed stone, to grass.  There may be bridges and tunnels to traverse, and the terrain may be mostly flat and easy to walk on or may be steep and rocky.  Do a little research ahead of time to be prepared for the conditions on the trail. 

Using the trails while on camping trips is a perfect to enjoy nature and see some gorgeous scenery.  To find trails near your camping destination or near your home, use the free trail finding website,TrailLink, which is a free service provided by RTC.  Search by state and then by zip code or by keywords to find trails.  The information for each trail varies from basic to very extensive with some having several reviews and photos.   

A few of the noteworthy trails include:

Katy Trail State Park, Missouri- currently the longest rail-to-trail in the country at 225 miles long and a rail-to-trail hall of fame inductee. The end points of the trail are St. Charles and Clinton.  The surface is crushed gravel and can be used for walking, biking, wheelchairs, and cross country skiing.  The trail is built on the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas rail corridor (rail operations ceased in 1986) and gives travelers on the trail some of the most gorgeous views in the state with the Missouri River often being on one side of the trail and bluffs on the other. 

The landscape varies as the miles are crossed from forests to valleys to prairies, to pastureland to wetlands to farm fields.  A fall ride along the trail is said to be stunning with the vibrant oranges and reds of sumacs, bittersweet bushes, and sugar maple trees. 

For more information about Katy trail including maps, directions to the trailheads, trail conditions, side trails that connect to Katy, and directions to the trailhead visit thetrail’s website.  Tip: Click on the "customized list of businesses" link and put a check mark in campgrounds to find ones on the trail - there are several and planner will even state what mile marker the campground is at. 

Great Allegheny Passage and the C& O Canal Trail;Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington D.C. - the Great Allegheny Passage is 150 miles long and has trail end points in Pittsburgh, PA and Cumberland, MA.  The main surface is crushed stone.  The trail is for walking, biking, cross country skiing, and for wheelchairs.  The Cumberland end of the trail connects to the C & O Canal Towpath which goes to Washington D.C. creating a continuous corridor that is 316 miles long. 

One of the coolest things on the trail, is the Big Savage tunnel in Summerset County, Pennsylvania.  The tunnel was in terrible shape after the trains stopped using it in 1976 but a restoration project has made the tunnel a marvel to see and is what allows the Great Allegheny Passage trail to connect with the C & O Canal Trail.  The passage is 3,300 feet long, is now lighted, and draws bikers from all over the country to see.  It’s closed during the winter months when large steel doors are shut on both ends to protect the tunnel from the ice and snows of winter.    

Check the official Great Allegheny Trail website for more information including trail status, trail maps,  directions,camping along the trail
(some campgrounds are right next to the trail;others are a few miles away), amenities along the trail, and tips for preparing for a fun and stress free trip.

Military Ridge State Park Trail, Wisconsin - it was rails-to-trails trail of the month in December, 2006 and is accessible from two state parks that have camping facilities (Blue Mound State Park and
Governor Dodge State Park which is one of the state’s most popular camping destinations). 

It’s 45 miles long and is located in the southwestern part of the state.  Trail ends are at Dodgeville and Verona.  The surface is asphalt and limestone, and can be used by walkers/hikers, bicyclists, wheelchairs, snowmobile riders, and cross country skiers.  The three mile
section of the trail between Verona and Madison is blacktopped and inline skating is allowed there. 

The trail is generally easy to ride but there are a few steeper hilly areas.  The Grumpy Troll brewpub in Mt. Horeb is a recommended stop by one frequent trail user. 

Banks-Vernonia State Trail; Oregon - located in northwest Oregon the trail is in a rural area but is less than an hour from Portland.  The trail is 21 miles long; has mostly asphalt and gravel surfaces; an easy to moderate terrain; and is designated for use by walkers/hikers, mountain bikers, and cross country skiers.

There are trailheads in Manning, Buxton, Tophill, and Beavercreek.  There are twelve bridges along the trail and two trestles - the Buxton Trestle and Horseshoe Trestle.  Both are 80 feet high and over 600 feet long.  Neither is usable (Horseshoe was partially destroyed by fire) but they are pretty cool to look at and marvel over their construction. 

Camping is available near the Buxton trailhead atStub Stewart State Park, which is open year round and has 43 full hookup campsites, 12 walk-in tent sites, 23 primitive hike in sites, 12 one room cabins, 3 two room cabins, 14 sites with full hookups and 4-stall corrals, and 2 double-size full hookup sites with 6-stall corrals. 

There are hundreds more trails in the rails-to-trails system, all of which have their own unique qualities and are worth checking out. 

The mission of Rails to Trails is worthwhile and one that is intended to help people become more active, healthier, and more in touch with nature.  If anyone wants to get involved in Rails to Trails and help support it, they can do so in a number of ways a few of which are:

• Register for the monthly newsletter (it’s free) to stay up to date on events, success stories, and policies that directly impact rails-trails and how to take action
• Donate to the conservancy to help them continue their quest to develop more trails across the nation
• Write your local, state, and federal representatives
  and ask them to support trail friendly policies
• Map a trail or two with your GPS unit, or request to
  borrow one from rails-to-trails,
  upload the file to your computer, and send it to rails to trails.  The data you provide will help users find rail-trails anywhere in the nation.  In exchange for sharing the data with them they will send the data back in a format that can be used in a CADD/GIS program.

When planning your next camping trip, take a few minutes to go to the TrailLink section of the Rails to Trails Website, look for trails in the area you’ll be camping, and take a pleasurable walk or bike ride on one and enjoy nature. 

See Fall Colors At Their Best In The United States

Fall is, hands down, my favorite time of year. I love the smell of the air, and the gorgeous fall colors of golds, oranges, and reds.

And, judging by how busy campgrounds are in areas where there is a lot of fall color, I’m not the only person who loves autumn.

While on a recent camping trip I was hoping to see lots off all color but was disappointed when I arrived and found out I was about 10 days too early. I should have planned ahead and found out exactly when color was projected to be at its peak or near peak before driving several hours.

So in order to not make that mistake again, I’ve compiled a list of resources for checking on the status of fall color around the United States.

Although the New England area, most notably Vermont, is touted as having the most spectacular color because of their hardwood forests (unlike other areas of the country that also have coniferous trees such as pine trees that don’t shed their foliage in the winter), there are other parts of the country that have nice color and great views.

The fall color peaks in the Northernmost parts of the country in mid to late September or the early part of October.
In the southern areas of the country, such as Alabama, color doesn’t typically peak until late October or early November so there is still plenty of time to plan a scenic fall camping trip to enjoy the colors of nature.

Use the resources below to make sure your excursion is as gorgeous as possible.

NATIONAL WEBSITES

The U.S. Forest Service has links to fall foliage “hotspots” around the country including several national forests, regional reports, and a drop down list of state website with fall color reports. They also have a fall color hotline at 1.800.354.4595.

It’s a one-stop place to check out fall color all around the country with a wealth of up-to-date information including how recent wind and rain storms have affected color (mostly meaning that the leaves have been blown off the trees, shortening the color season), and tips on what roads to travel for the best views.

TheFoliage Network has reports for the Northeast U.S., Southeast U.S., and the Midwest. Reports are updated weekly by volunteer spotters from all over the country (you can sign up to be one yourself if you want). Tip: sign up for the newsletter that sends an e-mail whenever the foliage reports are updated.

This webcam website has links to webcams in several states. Webcams are a great way to see what things are really like in an area. Click on states with orange text for a listing of webcams (ones that have a symbol of a red circle with a line drawn through it are inactive web cams), in that state and check out the colors. There’s also a drop down list of fall foliage websites by state.

BY STATE (If available)

ALABAMA - Sweet Home Alabama Fall Color Trail - Color watchers report on the status of color in their area of the state during October and November. The website is updated weekly. Color typically peaks during late October and the early part of November. Tip: check out the suggested circle tour for a driving route of many of the color hotspots. There’s also a fall foliage hotline at 1.800.252.2262.

ALASKA - The fall color season in Alaska is short with some areas peaking as early as mid-September. The U.S. Forestry Fall Foliage Hotline t 1.800.354.4595 has current
reports for Alaska. To hear it, listen to the entire recorded message without exiting the main menu to a regional report.

ARIZONA - TheArboretum at Flagstaff has a website with fall color status. The BoyceThompson Arboretum, about an hour’s drive from Phoenix, also has information on fall color and encourages people to visit the latter part of November and early December.

ARKANSAS - The state has a network of color spotters in all the regions of the state who supply weekly updates that are compiled into a weekly report that’s posted on the state’s tourism site by 5 pm Central time every week during the fall. The color typically peaks in Arkansas during the latter part of October and the early part of November, but it can change from year to year depending on weather conditions. There’s also a fall foliage hotline at 1.800.628.8725.

The Ozarks are gorgeous in the fall. This website is devoted to the Ozark Mountain area and typically puts up its first foliage report in the middle of October. Peak is usually at the end of October into the early part of November.

CALIFORNIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.916.322.2881. There’s also a
good website from a photographer where people write in with updates from around the state.

COLORADO - Because Colorado doesn’t have the
variety of hardwoods that some other areas of the country has, the fall color
isn’t as varied but it’s still gorgeous. The primary color is bright gold
from the state’s numerous aspen trees. But, there isn’t a big window of
time to see the colors at their best. Color usually peaks in September and
only lasts about a week. For more information check out the
tourism’s fall foliage guide.

CONNECTICUT - Fall foliage hotline number is
1.800.282.6863. The “Visit Connecticut” website has a foliage map, foliage report (from weather.com - another resource for checking out fall color all over the
country), and a detailed listing of scenic drives to take while visiting.

DELAWARE - Fall foliage hotline number is 1-800.441.8846. Although Delaware is thought of as more of a summer seaside destination, the fall color there is nice. Check out the University of Delaware’s fall foliage cam and the foliage network’s color map. Color typically peaks from mid-October into the early part of November.

FLORIDA - The temperate climate of Florida makes it a great destination for snowbirds who are looking for warm weather and lots of sunshine during the winter months but the climate in the state doesn’t make it a great destination for viewing fall color.

GEORGIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.404.656.3590. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest’s color usually peaks in the third week of October and is definitely worth the trip to see it. Click here for the forest’s foliage report. To see the current view from atop Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest mountain, check out the southwebcam andnorth webcam.

HAWAII - Though long a dream vacation destination for most people, it’s not known for its beautiful color in the fall but as a
tropical, sun-kissed destination with some of the best beaches in the world.

IDAHO - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.847.4843. Yellowstone National
Park, Bear Lake, Palisades Reservoir, Upper Mesa Falls, Boise National Forest,
and the Idaho Wine Country are all prime fall color viewing areas. To see
current live views, check out the Hauser Lake and Sawtooth Mountain webcams.

ILLINOIS - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.223.0121. Click here for six scenic Illinois fall drives, one of which is part of the famed Route 66. For fall color watch updates, click on the “fall color watch” leaf on the tourism home page.

INDIANA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.289.6646. The tourism websites lets you see the changing colors without ever leaving your home with the leaf cams.

IOWA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.515.233.4110 (recorded message). To see the weekly fall foliage reports, click here. For the best viewing, get off I-80 and take some more scenic routes where you will not only see great fall color but may pass through Amish communities, see geese, and view river valleys.

KANSAS - Contact the tourism bureau for fall travel suggestions and questions about fall color at 1.800.252.6727. While visiting, check out a few of the haunted houses in Kansas City.

KENTUCKY - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.225.8747. The tourism site has updates on color for us “leaf peepers” and also has video updates that includes info on upcoming fall events. Color typically peaks in the later part of October into November.

LOUISIANA - The fall color is gorgeous along the
western edge of Louisiana along Route 1 and Route 171. View the fallcolors and camp at Kisatchie National Forest. If you’re visiting at the end of October, check out the Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport. For vacation planning visit the Louisiana Travel website.

MAINE - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.777.0317. Maine’s official fall foliage website has maps, video footage of Maine scenery in the fall, detailed information on the best time to visit the various areas of the state in order to see the best color, driving tours, featured state parks (many with camping facilities), and fall events such as the Scarecrow Festival held at Fort Kent in September.

MARYLAND - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.532.8371. Weekly updates on fall color and upcoming events are on the state’sDepartment of Natural Resources website. Visit Green Ridge State Forest and check out the DNR’s self-guided “Fall Color Tour Guide” which is a guided driving tour of the forest that includes folklore and historical info about the area. The tour is about 30 miles long and takes about three hours. Primitive camping is available at Green Ridge.

MASSACHUSETTS - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.227.6277. The state’s tourism website has foliage reports for the Berkshires, Lower Pioneer Valley, Quabbin Reservoir/Upper Pioneer Valley, Central Massachusetts, Blackstone Valley, Merriamck Valley, North Shore, and Greater Boston areas. Tip: take an excursion to Salem, site of the infamous witch hunts, and check out the haunted festivities that take place in October.

MICHIGAN - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.644.3255. Michigan’s official travel website is full of great fall information including: featured fall destinations, a weekly fall color tour with lots of interesting stops along the way (when I visited the site
it featured a 150 mile middle Michigan drive with W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, Fort Custer Recreation Area, Sojourner Truth Monument, Fenner Arboretum, as just a few of the suggested stops, a listing of Haunted Houses, campgrounds, gorgeous video, and fall events and festivals. Tip: sign up for the newsletter to receive weekly fall color updates.

MINNESOTA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.657.3700. Peak fall color typically starts the middle of September into early October in the upper one-third of the state; late September to early October in the middle portion of the state; and late September to mid-October for the southern part of the state with one exception - the trees along Lake Superior turn color a week later than the inland trees because of the warming effect of the lake. For fall foliage reports from the state’s “Explore Minnesota” website, click here.

MISSISSIPPI - Before visiting be sure to check the VisitMississippi.org for up to date info on activities and businesses that are open especially if you plan on visiting the Gulf Coast area since there is still cleanup from Hurricane Katrina going on. Visit Holly Springs National Forest in north-central Mississippi, Tombigbee National Forest, or Natchez Trace Parkway for scenic fall viewing. Contact the tourism department at 1.866.733.6477 for questions about the best times to view color in different areas of the state or to request travel brochures.

MISSOURI - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.877.1234. The fall color season can last as long as six weeks starting in mid-September and going until the end of October although peak is usually mid-October when the hardwood trees change color. The Missouri Department of Conservation website has color updates and a link to “routes with a view.”

MONTANA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.847.4868 (call 7 am to 6 pm mountain time Monday through Friday) or call the Forest Service’s fall foliage hotline for up-to-date info at 1.800.354.4595. Late September to mid-October is generally the best time to see peak color. Click here to view a digital image of Crown Point in Bitterroot Valley that’s updated every 30 minutes. Visit Glacier National Park to see the maples, larch, and aspen trees turn varying shades of yellow, orange, gold and red.

NEBRASKA - The home of Arbor Day offers a 50 mile scenic fall foliage tour in the southeastern part of the state in Nebraska City. If you want to see fall color in Nebraska, get off the Interstate and stick to the eastern part of the state as the Western part of the state is all plains and trees are sparse. (The sandhills in western Nebraska are nice, but are not good for fall foliage lovers.)

NEVADA - The mountain and desert areas ensure a long color season that lasts into December in the lower desert although some areas reach their peak by mid-October. The Great Basin National Park is colorful in the fall and offers camping. Call the tourism office at 1.800.638.2328 for fall travel suggestions or visit their website.

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.258.3608. With an eye to helping people receive up to date foliage reports wherever they are, the state’stourism website offers foliage alerts for your cell phone. Click here for their signup page. Online foliage reports are available here. Fall is the state’s busiest time of year so make reservations early.

NEW JERSEY - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.354.4595. The site’s foliage report link goes to the foliage network website; but the Jersey tourism website does have several interesting driving tours including a mountain tour, historic tour, farmlands tour, woodlands tour, pinelands tour, and fun and foliage tour.

NEW MEXICO - The aspen forests offer gold color in the fall and the state’s mountains, deserts, lakes, and forests offer lots to see and do, but it’s not one of the prime states in the U.S. for viewing vibrant fall color.

NEW YORK - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.225.5697. The Adirondacks in upstate New York is the most popular place in the state to see fall color. Color peaks in the Adirondack Park the last two weeks of September and during the first two weeks of October in the lowland areas surrounding the peaks. Current fall foliage info and scenic drives can be seen here. For a list of campgrounds in the area that are open for fall camping, click here. For foliage info for the entire state, visit New York’s tourism website. Depending what part of the state you visit, the fall color season extends into the first part of November.

NORTH CAROLINA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.847.4862. The tourism website has fall fishing reports (a fun activity during a fall camping trip) in addition to a fall color guide that includes a current foliage guide (Click the North Carolina Fall Guide link on the site’s home page that is front and center on the site during the fall season). For unique ways to see the fall foliage in the state, hop on the Smoky Mountain Railroad train, take part in a Carolina Tailwinds Bicycle Tour, fly above the trees in a hot air balloon ride from Yadkin Valley Balloon Adventures, or go Whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River.

NORTH DAKOTA - The tourism hotline number is 1.800.435.5663 (call during normal business hours to ask for information on fall foliage). For a scenic fall drive, meander down the Chan SanSan Scenie Byway in the James River Valley. As well as being beautiful, it is rich in history and is a good wildlife viewing area. For other fall activities, go to the tourism website’s “what
to do” section, and search by category filling in the “fall foliage” checkbox.

OHIO - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.282.5393. Ohio’s DNR website does a great job at providing up-to-date info on changing colors and has maps and info on camping at the state parks. Leaves usually start changing color in mid-September and peak mid-to-late October.

OKLAHOMA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.652.6552. The state’s tourism website has fall foliage information and several scenic driving suggestions. The state offers a rainbow of fall color against a backdrop of rolling prairies, rivers, granite bluffs, and mesas. For info on hiking, backpacking, and nature trails, click here.

OREGON - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.547.5445. Fall colors peak mid-September to mid-October. Call the hotline for detailed information. Include a drive along the Columbia River Gorge when planning a fall trip to Oregon. Although Oregon is not as popular of a destination in the fall as the New England states, it puts on a pretty good show of vibrant color. While there, check out the Halloween activities and events taking place throughout the month of October.

PENNSYLVANIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.325.5467. Pennsylvania’s fall foliage website is chock full of info. It has fall foliage reports, four foliage cams (although the Bushkill Falls one is currently offline), hiking and biking info, the best places to do bird watching, and lots of traveler submitted photos that are gorgeous.

RHODE ISLAND - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.556.2484. Rhode Island may be a tiny state in the New England area but it has lots of things to see and do in the fall. The state’s tourism website encourage “leaf peepers” to come and enjoy the scenery. Click on the “seasonal page” link on the home page for info about how to best enjoy the fall activities and fall colors throughout the months of September, October, and into November. For foliage reports, there are links to Yankee Magazine,
The Weather Channel, and the Foliage Network.

SOUTH CAROLINA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.849.4766 (call during normal business hours). South Carolina Upcountry is reputed to be the best place in the state to view fall color. Drive the Cherokee Foothill National Scenic Highway for access to several state parks, waterfalls, hiking, wildlife viewing, and spectacular views. Peak color in the area generally starts the second week of October through the end of the month. In the rest of the state, peak foliage usually occurs late October to early November.

SOUTH DAKOTA - Mount Rushmore isn’t the only thing to see in the state. The state’s tourism site offers several suggestions for fall destinations and scenic drives including the Black Hills to see the aspens put on their brilliant gold color show; the Hwy 14A National Scenic Byway to see limestone cliffs, various varieties of trees, wildlife, wildflowers, Spearfish Creek, and waterfalls; or visit Sica Hollow State Park.

TENNESSEE - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.697.4200. For nature lovers, the Great Smoky Mountains are a feast for the eyes in fall. Color usually peaks the latter part of October in the Smoky Mountains but the color season extends into the later part of November in the western part of the state. Click here for weekly foliage reports.

TEXAS - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.791.1112. Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for updates on color at the parks across the state. While there, make a reservation at one of the many campgrounds. The east Texas vacation guide website has detailed information about several scenic driving tours. Color is typically good in that part of the state from mid-October through November.

UTAH - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.354.4595. The tourism website doesn’t currently offer fall foliage reports but the The U.S. Forest Service has info on the best times and places to see great color. A few of the popular fall driving routes in Utah include Hwy 143 from Brian Head to Panguitch; Hwy 14 to Hwy 89; and Interstate 70 to Gooseberry and into the Fish Lake Basin where it meets with Route 25. Also, with Utah being home to five national parks: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon,Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park - it’s a great place to visit and camp anytime of the year.

VERMONT - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.837.6668. This is the crown jewel of states to view fall color because of the state’s hardwood forests that are set in a backdrop of mountains, along with charming small towns and historic covered bridges. The fall color season usually starts in mid-September and ends about the second week of October. Make camping reservations early since everything fills up quickly. There are several websites for foliage reports: one from VermontVacation.com; one from foliage-vermont.com; and one from Vermont’s tourism site where you’ll also find fall travel tips, a foliage forecaster, recommended scenic drives, an insider’s guide, and a lodging forecaster.

VIRGINIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.434.5323 and will give you a recorded message on current color conditions around the state and advises when the next update will be available. The state’s travel website has a special fall section where there is a color change slider to see when nature is expected to put on it’s annual color show; and a weekly recorded fall foliage report from Forester Tim.

The Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Highlands, and Heart of Appalachia are all popular fall destinations with the Shenandoah Valley being noted for a great place to get some stunning pictures.

WASHINGTON - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.354.4595. Washington State is full of evergreen trees but there is still some fall color from shrubs and bushes. The state’s huckleberry bushes turn deep red in the fall while the bush like mountain ash tree has foliage that turns yellow to orange. But, the breathtaking mountain views make up for the lack of vibrant fall color.

WEST VIRGINIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.225.5982. The West Virginia tourism website has fall foliage updates that are updated weekly. The state’s forestry website also has foliage reports along with a map showing how close to peak (or past peak) it is in every part of the state. West Virginia, like Vermont, has a wide variety of hardwood tree species in their forests making it one of the best places in the country to see vibrant fall color. Interesting thing to read: scoll to the bottom of the foliage report page to see what colors the leaves change to on different varieties.

WISCONSIN - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.432.8747. This number connects to the state’s tourism office where a “live” person will answer the phone and offer up to date fall color information in any part of the state. The tourism bureau also has a website with a fall color meter and a link to sign up for a weekly e-mail report along with scenic drive suggestions. And, for shutterbugs, photos can be submitted to possibly be included in the online photo gallery.

WYOMING - Call the Tourism Bureau for information on fall color at 1.800.225.5996. For fall trip ideas from the tourism bureau, click here.